Will you EVER get back to sleep? The Insomnia Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Will you EVER get back to sleep? The Insomnia Quiz
Image: coloroftime/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Whether it's a few sleepless nights from time to time or long-term insomnia, millions of people are tired. Test how much you know about how to get a good night's sleep -- and what to do when you can't -- in our insomnia quiz.
True or false: Insomniacs have difficulty staying asleep, not just falling asleep.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True. When you experience insomnia, you might wake up frequently in addition to experiencing difficulty falling asleep.

How many hours of sleep does an adult need every night?
8.5 to 9.5
7 to 9
5 to 7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While individual needs vary, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is considered the ideal range for adults.

Roughly how many American adults suffer symptoms of insomnia?
about 30 to 40 percent
about 10 to 20 percent
fewer than 10 percent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American Academy of Sleep estimates about 30 to 40 percent of adults suffer symptoms of insomnia annually.

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How many Americans admit they've fallen asleep while driving?
1 percent
3 percent
5 percent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

About 5 percent of adults admit they've fallen asleep behind the wheel at least once in the last 30 days.

Which pair are effects of insomnia?
daytime sleepiness and low energy
headaches and upset stomach
both of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of these problems are caused by insomnia, as well as moodiness, difficulty thinking and having a short temper.

Which of these may cause insomnia?
stress
depression
jet lag
All of these may cause insomnia.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of these could be culprits for someone experiencing insomnia.

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True or false: Certain antidepressants may cause insomnia.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True. Well, sort of. Insomnia caused by depression might not respond well to SSRI (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants.

Which prescription medication is known to cause insomnia in some people?
ACE inhibitors
alpha and beta blockers
statins
all of these
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of these prescription medications are known to cause insomnia in some patients.

Which hormone regulates the body's sleep-wake cycle?
testosterone
melatonin
cortisol
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Your body counts on melatonin to keep your sleep-wake cycle regular.

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What chronic health conditions are insomniacs at higher risk for?
depression
type 2 diabetes
cardiovascular diseases
all of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Getting too little sleep is associated with several chronic diseases including depression, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

True or false: Insomnia is never more than a short-term problem.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

False. Insomnia may be short-term (acute) but it may also last just a few days at a time (transient) or long-term (chronic).

How many adults have chronic insomnia?
about 30 percent
about 10 to 15 percent
fewer than 5 percent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the National Center for Sleep Disorders Research, about 10 to 15 percent of adults suffer chronic insomnia.

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Which environmental factors may contribute to insomnia?
too much light at night
not enough light during the day
temperatures that are too hot or too cold
All of these may disturb sleep.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of these conditions may cause sleep problems.

True or false: Eating a large meal before bed will help you sleep.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

False. Eating a large meal within 2 to 3 hours of your bedtime may aggravate sleep disorders.

What is sleep hygiene?
your sleep habits
how often you wash your sheets
showering before bed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sleep hygiene describes your sleep habits.

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Which 19th-century novelist and insomnia-sufferer walked in circles until she fell asleep?
Jane Austen
Charlotte Brontë
Emily Brontë
George Eliot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Emily Brontë is said to have suffered from chronic insomnia.

Who among these groups is at the highest risk for developing insomnia?
women
men
adolescents
infants
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Women are at a high risk for developing insomnia.

Which pre-bedtime activity may help ease insomnia symptoms?
exercise
lying in bed, waiting to sleep
having a nightcap
relaxation techniques
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Relaxation techniques, such as meditation or a warm bath, may make it easier to fall -- and stay -- asleep.

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True or false: Sleeping pills may actually worsen insomnia symptoms.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

True. While sleeping pills may help in the short term, long term usage may actually worsen insomnia symptoms.

Which over-the-counter supplement may help relieve insomnia?
valerian
melatonin
glucosamine
both valerian and melatonin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both valerian and melatonin may help ease the symptoms of insomnia, but their efficacy and safety isn't proven.

You Got:
/20
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